Mayfair and Fordsburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Our writers weave stories of faith, migrancy, crime and policing through the eyes of new and old residents of Mayfair. Visit one of the country’s oldest karate schools, walk in the workers’ worn-out shoes and take a Friday night crime prevention ride.
Learn how local businesses flourish and understand the safety and faith of many migrants in Mayfair.
The past is the present is the future.

Our team set out to explore the heart and soul of the new Fordsburg, a zone of transition and tradition that teems with stories of hope, resilience, and struggle. From the homeless waste-recyclers of Fietas, to the refugees of Little Mogadishu, from the Sunday revivalists of the old Majestic Cinema to the fashionistas of Mint Street, from the sweet taste of Cape Malay delicacies to the bitter brew of Somali coffee, these are the tales that bring an old neighbourhood to resonant new life.

We explore the boundaries of tradition in art and music, the flexible and dynamic changes in family and how people see their connectedness.
Enter the world of the Islamic feminist, chill with some genuine Shisha, hear the music of Islam, see the art of Islam and meet some families with very little, determined to give back to their community.

Scratch the surface of Mayfair and you'll find a space filled with diverse communities. Meet young Somalis chasing big dreams with the beautiful game, and the very last barber of Fordsburg. Explore the cultural melting pot that is the Oriental Plaza. See how coffee is used to connect to faraway homelands. Finally, learn about Fordsburg's need-for-speed sub-culture.